Your Guide to Choosing the Right Toothbrush

  Patients often ask about the type of toothbrush they are using and if it is most effective for their individual mouths. It is important to find a toothbrush that is comfortable and works well to encourage the frequency of brushing for kids and adults alike.
Manual Toothbrushes
Your toothbrush should fit in your mouth comfortably and allow you to easily reach all of your teeth. The head should cover one to two teeth at a time. Larger heads may be difficult to maneuver inside of the mouth to reach difficult areas, especially for those with smaller mouths.
Adults should take over brushing for their child until they feel that their child can brush all surfaces effectively and for two minutes. Toothbrushes for children should have smaller heads, and larger handles to make it easier for their little hands to grasp. If your child is smaller or larger than their peers or has a delayed or advanced dental development, ask your dentist for the appropriate size toothbrush. A large handled toothbrush is also recommended for those individuals with limited dexterity.
Soft-bristled toothbrushes are good at removing plaque and debris to your teeth without causing a great deal of damage to the supporting tooth structures. Medium to hard bristles can cause a condition called recession where the gum tissue can become lowered away from the teeth exposing root surfaces. For increased protection bristles can be purchased with rounded tips.
Powered Toothbrushes
Powered toothbrushes are a great option for those who have limited manual dexterity. Those with braces or intraoral appliances may also benefit from a powered toothbrush. Powered toothbrushes often include a timer and help encourage longer brushing and make it fun for your child.
No matter what toothbrush you choose, make sure that you are brushing at a 45 degree angle in a circular motion for at least two minutes morning and night. Include flossing at least once a day. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months, or when they show wear. Your toothbrush should also be changed after every illness to prevent reinfection.
Looking for the American Dental Association, seal of approval on your toothbrush can be a good start to picking the right toothbrush. If you have any question about the right toothbrush or brushing technique, be sure to ask your dentist at your next six month check up.

Does My Child Really Need Dental Xrays?

It might be shocking to realize that children often need dental X-rays more often than adults.  Your child is constantly growing and changing, and they are often more susceptible to tooth decay than adults. The enamel on childrens’ teeth is generally thinner allowing decay to spread more rapidly than on adult teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that X-rays are preformed every six months to a year or more depending on their risk for tooth decay.

What Is the Purpose Of X-rays On Children?

Many parents are frustrated that their dentist reports that their child now has cavities, but at their previous check up they were cavity free.  Cavities can form rapidly on children, however the absence of X-rays at a previous visit due to age or behavior may be the cause for the initial under diagnosis. Most parents are shocked to find that their child has cavities because they regularly brush twice a day and limit high consumption of sugars in their child’s diet.

Many parents admit that they have not yet begun flossing due to either lack of child cooperation or failure to realize the importance of flossing at such a young age. X-rays can detect cavities that form in the areas between your child’s teeth that may not be seen on visible inspection. Once cavities are visually seen on areas between the teeth, these areas may be quite large, and actually approach the nerve of the tooth requiring more extensive treatment.
Eruption patterns of teeth can also be diagnosed with X-rays. Many children have delayed or advanced eruption patterns, or may even have permanent teeth that are missing or developing in an incorrect location.  Early detection of these occurrences may help determine if early intervention or orthodontic treatment may be necessary.  Many of these problems are more difficult to treat after the growth process is complete.
Children are known to being highly active and unfortunately prone to injury.  Most commonly the upper front teeth take the brunt of the abuse and can suffer from root fracture, tooth displacement, color change, and mobility.  Your child’s dentist may elect to take regular X-rays of this area to determine if any damage has occurred to the baby teeth or the permanent teeth underneath.


Are X-rays Safe?
Radiation is all around us, from microwaves, to airplanes, and even from the sun. With the amount of radiation we are exposed to with daily activities, the radiation from dental films is very negligible. Different dental offices have different forms of X-ray technology and therefore different levels of radiation from their equipment.
Digital X-rays offer the lowest form of radiation to patients, in some cases up to 80 percent lower than the traditional films most adults had as children. All dental offices are required to have routine inspections of their X-rays equipment by their state. It is also required that a lead apron be placed on your child for additional protection.